Paper roll holder



June 2K7, 1939. H, HARVEY 2,164,064

PAPER ROLL HOLDER Filed Jan. 8, 1937 EW Patented June 27, 1939 2,164,064 PAPE-R ROLL 'HOLDER` Herbert Harvey, Los Angeles, Calif., `assigner to Leo M. Harvey, Los lAngeles, Calif.

UNITED STATES PATNT OFFICE This invention relates to a holder or dispenser for paper, etc., and relates more particularly to a rack or holder for a paper roll or paper towel roll or the like. A general object of this invention is to provide a simple, practical, inexpensive paper roll holder of the character mentioned that is particularly convenient to use or operate.

Various devices have been introduced for holdy ing rolls of paper and rolls of paper toweling. In

most of these prior devices the parts or trunnions supporting the ends of the paper roll have beenv urged against the roll to form brakes or drags to resist rotation of the roll when it is desired to part or tear free the unreeled paper or towel.

Such prior devices have not proved altogether satisfactory because in most instances the user is obliged to place his hand on the paper roll to hold it against rotation when he wishes to tear free a length of paper or a towel. This is place the hands on the roll to hold the same i against rotation when it is .desired to part or tear free a length of unreeled paper or toweling.

Another object of this invention is to provide a paper roll holder of the character mentioned in which the roll is automatically locked against rotation and the paper toweling is held against further unreeling movement when the user draws the reeled-off paper strip outwardly or maintains a forward pull on the strip.

Another object of this invention is to provide 1 a paper roll holder of the character mentioned in I which the means for locking or holding the roll and the paper against movement to facilitatethe tearing free of an unreeled length ofpaper does not require manual manipulatingor setting and is entirely automatic in operation.

Another object of this invention is to provide a paper roll holder of the character mentioned in which the means for holding the roll and vthe unreeled paper against movement to `facilitate the tearing free `of the paper does not interfere with or retard the free unreeling of the paper or the free turning of the roll when the user is unreeling the paper from the roll.

A further object of this invention is to pro- A I vide a paper roll holder of the character mentioned that is simple and inexpensive and that is sightly and compact.

The various objects and features of my invention will be fully understood from.l the following detailed descriptionof a typical preferred form .and application of the invention, throughout which description reference is made to the accompanying drawing, in which:

View similar to Fig, 1 illustrating the operation l0 ofthe means for locking the paper roll against movement, and Fig. llis an enlarged fragmentary horizontal detailed sectional view of one end portion of the holder.

The present invention is adapted to be em-15 bodied in devices for holding rolls: of material of various character, for example the invention may be embodied in form for holding toilet paper,

paper towel rolls, rolls of wrapping paper, etc.

vIn the following detaileddisclosure I will de- 20 scribe a typical form of the invention adapted to hold a roll of paper toweling of the charac, ter that is widely used in kitchens of residences, in wash rooms, etc. It is: to be understood that this invention is not to be construed as limited 25 to the particular form and application of the inventio-n about to be described. The typical roll R of paper or paper toweling illustrated may be considered as` a continuous elongate sheet or strip S wound on a tubular spool I0. The strip S 30 is provided with longitudinally spaced transverse lines of perforationsY I Ito facilitate the separation or parting of its individual towels. Y f

The .holder of the present invention includes, generally, a suitable bracket or base I2, spaced 35 projecting arms I3 on the base I2 for rotatably supporting the roll R and means I4 operable to lock the roll R against rotation when it is desired lto tear free or part an unreeled towel or portion of the paper strip S. 40

The bracket or base I2 of the holder may be varied to adapt the device for different installations.A In the particular case illustrated, the base I2 is a substantially rectangular member adapted for arrangement on a Vertical support such as a 45 wall. The base I2 may have an inwardly or rearwardly turned ilange I5 extending along its margins or edges. Suitable means are provided for i facilitating the attachment of the base I2 to a support. In the structure illustrated, the base 50 I2 has spaced depressed portions I6 provided with slots o-r openings I'I for receiving securing 1 members such as screws or the like for attaching the base to the support.

The arms I3 project outwardly or forwardly 55 from the base I2 to support the roll R. In the construction illustrated the arms I3 project outwardly through vertical slots I8 in the end portions of the base I2. The arms I3 pass through the slots I8 with substantial clearance so that they may have limited tilting or rocking movement. A laterally turned flange 20 is provided on the inner end of each arm I3 and is adapted to engage against the inner side of the base I2 to prevent outward loss or displacement of the arms I3. The outer portions of the arms I3 are pressed or shaped to have projecting trunnions or projections 2I adapted to enter the ends of the spool' I0 to rotatably support the roll R. Raised-bosses 22 may be provided at the bases of the projections 2| to hold the ends of the roll R spaced from the arms I 3. Flanges 23 are provided on the outer sides of the arms I3 and extend along the `longitudinal edges of the arms. The inner ends -24 of l the flanges 23 are pitched or inclined relative to' the arms I3 and are adapted to engage the outer face of the base I2 to limit the outward pivotal movement of the arms I3. The above described flanges 20 may cooperate with the inner side of the base I2 to limit the outward `pivotal movement of the arms I3 or to assist in this function.

Means are provided to normally hold the arms I3 against movement in positions where their` projections 2I extend into the ends of the roll spool I to rotatably support the roll R. Straps 25 are welded or otherwise fixed to the flanges20 ofthe arms I3 and are riveted or otherwise secured to the base I2. The straps 25 are sufciently rigid to normally hold the arms I3 in their normal positions where their projections 2I extend into the spool I0 to support the roll R for free rotation. The straps 25 are adapted to yield to allow the arms I3 to be pivoted outwardly or away from one another to facilitate the insertion of the roll R and the removal of the spool I0 when the roll is exhausted.

The means I4 is an important feature vof the invention. The means I4 is provided to lock or hold the roll R against rotation and to hold the unreeled portion of the paper strip S against movement when the user wishes to tear free or part an unreeled portion of towel from the strip. It is a feature of the invention that the means I4 does not interfere with the normal free rotation of the roll R when the paper or towel strip S is being unreeled. The means I4 is characterized yby its extreme simplicity and comprises only two parts; namely, a rod 21 and a roller28 on the rod.

The rod 21 of the means I4 is a substantially U-shaped integral member. The rod 21 extends across the outer side of the base I2 and has laterally projecting arms 29 at its opposite ends vwhich are disposed adjacent the ends `of the base I2. The arms 29 are of substantial length andare provided at their outer or upper ends with inturned ngers 30. The fingers 30 are received in openings 3l in the flanged ends of the base I2 to support the rod 21 for oscillation or swinging movement. The openings 3I receiving the fingers 3U of the rod 21 are preferably located adjacent the top of the base I2. The rod 21 supported by the ngers 30 as just described, is adapted to hang free with its transverse or horizontal main portion adjacent the lower edge of the base I2. The roll R is arranged between the arms I3 so'that the paper strip S hangs from its rear peripheral surface as illustrated throughout the drawing. The portion of the strip S hanging from theroll 'R is trained behind the rod 21V as best illustrated in Figs. 2 and 3.

ment on the rod 21.

The roller 28 is Icarried on the rod 21 to be engaged by the strip S and to cooperate with the roll R to lock the roll against rotation and to prevent further unreeling of the strip S when the user pulls outwardly or forwardly on the strip S of paper or toweling. The roller 28 is preferably rotatable on the rod 21 and may be a simple integral member of rubber, hard rubber composition, wood or the like. In practice the roll 28 may be relatively short as shown in the drawing. In the preferred construction roller 28 is equally spaced between the arms 29 of the rod to be engaged by the central portion of the strip S and to cooperate with the central portion of the roll R. The roller 28 is held against excessive longitudinal move- In the simple construction illustrated, the intermediate portion of the rod 21 is offset-or eccentric and the roller 28 is rotatable on the eccentric portion of the rod 21 to be held against longitudinal movement by the bent parts d Y or shoulders 32foccurring at the ends of the eccentric portion of rod.

It will be observed that the strip S of the towelling or paper depending from the roller R is trained behind the rod 21 and the roller 28 so that the rod and roller are swung forwardly when the strip S is pulledV outwardly or forwardly. In accordance with the invention the lower edges of the arms I3 are cut away or provided with notches 33 to receive the rod 21 when the roll R is reduced in diameter and an outward pull is put on the strip S as described above. The notches 38 are such that they allow the roller 28 to bear forwardly against the roll R when the roll is almost exhausted.

In operation or use the paper roll or towel roll R is inserted between the arms I3 so that the `trunnion projections 2I t into the ends of its spool IIJ. The roll R is arranged so that the strip S leaves the rear side of its periphery which faces the support or base I2. The portion of the strip S leaving the roll R is trained between the base I2 and the roller 28. It is to be understood that the paper or towel roll R is supported by the trunnion projections 2| for free rotation.

To unreel a length of the strip S or a towel of the strip S the user merely pulls downwardly on the strip to unreel a portion of the same from the roll R. During the unreeling of the strip S the roller 28. may engage against the strip S but does .not engage against the roll R and, therefore, does `not interfere with free turning of the roll, When a. suflicient portion of the strip S has been un- .reeled the user merely pulls outwardly on the strip S in the direction indicated by the arrow A in Fig. 3. When the strip S is pulled outwardly in the` Adirection indicated of the arrow A the strip swings the roller 28 forwardly and upwardly against the roll R. In this regard it is to be noted that the roll 28 is supported by the rod 21 for free lswinging movement. The user may apply a substantial forward or outward strain on the strip S to forcibly press the roller 28 against the rear peripheral surface of the roll R which faces or opposes the base I2. The force thus applied to 'the strip S, ofcourse, tends to move the strip S in the direction indicated by the arrow A and tends to turn the roll R in the direction indicated by the arrow B. The outward movement and pull on the strip S in the direction indicated by the arrow A tends to turn the roller 28 in the direction indicated by the arrow C. Thus it is seen rthat the roll R and the roller 28 tend to turn in the same direction. The roller 28 being forci- -blyheld against the rear surface of the roll R and' tending Vto turn in the same direction as the roll R operates to stop turning of the roll and to lock the roll against further movement. The cooperating roll R and roller 28 operate to hold one another against `rotation when a sufficient outward tension is applied to the strip S in the direction indicated by the arrow A. 'I'he roll 28 being stationary or held against movement by the roll R resists or prevents unreeling movement or outward movement of the strip S, the strip being trained across the rear peripheral portion of the roller 28. Thus the roll movement by simply applying a forward or outward pull on the strip S in the general direction indicated by the arrow A. When the roll R becomes locked against turning in this manner the user ma;7 easily part or tear free the unreeled portion of the strip S or the outermost towel of the towel strip. When the strip S is provided with the series of perforations II it readily parts at the outermost row of perforations Il so that the user obtains a towel from the strip, Immediately following the tearing free or parting of the towel from the strip S, the portion of the strip hanging from the roll R is usually allowed to fall and hang free, whereupon the rod 21 carrying the roller 28 automatically returns by gravity to a position such as is illustrated in Fig. 2. Thus the device is automatically reconditioned for a further operation.

The present invention provides a simple inexpensive paper roll holder embodying the means I4 for automatically locking the roll R against turning when it is tesired to part or tear free an unreeled portion of the strip S or a towel of the strip S. The means I4 is entirely automatic in its operation and does not interfere with the free unreeling of the strip S from the roll R so long as the strip is pulled downwardly or in a general downward direction. It is to be noted that the roll R. is normally free for rotation and that there is nothing to interfere with the free easy unreeling of the strip S from the roll. The means I4 for automatically locking the roll against turning is extremely simple and does not complicate the general holder construction.

Having described only a typical preferred form and application of my invention, I do not wish to be limited or restricted to the specific details; herein set forth, but wish to reserve to myself any variations or modifications that may appear to those skilled in the art or fall within the scope of the following claims.

Having described my invention, I claim:

1. A holder for a roll of sheet material comprising, a body, means on the body for supporting the roll for rotation about a xed axis and to have the strip of material unreel from its back side, and a roller swingably supported on the body between the roll and said strip to be swung against the roll by said strip to stop rotation of the roll when the said strip is pulled outwardly.

2. A holder for a roll of sheet material comprising, a body, means on the body for rotatably supporting the roll to have the strip of material unreel from its peripheral surface opposing the body, and means for holding the roll against rotation to facilitate the parting of said strip from the roll, said means including a part between the roll and the portion of the said strip leaving the roll, means supporting the part on the body for oscillation toward and away from the roll, and a roller on said part engageable by the strip and movable against the roll by the strip when the latter is pulled outwardly.

3. A holder for a roll of sheet material comprising, a body, means on the body for rotatably supporting the roll to have the strip of material unreel from its inner side, and means for holding the roll against rotation to facilitate the parting of said strip from the roll, said means including a part between the roll and the portion of the said strip leaving the roll, means swingably supporting the part on the body for movement toward the roll, and a roller rotatable on said part engageable by the strip and movably against the roll by the strip when the latter is pulled outwardly.

LA holder for a roll of sheet material comprising, a body, means on the body for rotatably supporting the roll to have the strip of material unreel from its inner side, and means for automatically holding the roll against rotation when an outward pulling force is applied to the unreeled portion of the strip, said means including a rod extending substantially parallel to the longitudinal axis of the roll and positioned between the roll and the portion of the strip leaving the roll, means connecting the rod with the body for swinging movement toward the roll, and a brake member carried by the rod to be normally clear of the roll and engaged by the strip to be moved against the roll when the strip is pulled outwardly.

5. A holder for a roll of sheet material comprising, a body, means on the body for rotatably supporting the roll to have the strip of material unreel from its inner side, and means for automatically holding the roll against rotation when an outward pulling force is applied tothe unreel portion of the strip, said means including a rod extending substantially parallel to the longitudinal axis of the roll and positioned between the roll and the portion of the strip leaving the roll, arms on the rod pivotally carried by the body to support the rod for swinging movement, and a brake member on the rod engaged by the strip to be moved outwardly against the roll when the strip is pulled outwardly and movable out of contact with the roll when the outward pull on the strip is relaxed.

6. A device of the character described for holding a roll of sheet material comprising, a base adapted to be arranged on a support, spaced arms projecting outwardly from the base, parts on the arms for entering the ends of the roll to rotatably support the roll, the roll being arranged so that the strip is unreeled from its inner side, a r'od extending substantially parallel to the longitudinal axis of the roll between the roll and the portion of the strip extending from the roll, arms on the ends of the rod, iingers on the arms of the rod pivotable in openings in the base to swingably support the rod, and a roller rotatable on the rod and engaged by the strip and moved against the roll to stop the same when the strip is pulled outwardly.

'7. A holder fora roll of paper including, means for supporting the roll for rotation about a xed axis and to have the paper strip unreel from its inner side, a member between the roll and the strip, and means supporting the member to swing out of contact with the roll and to be swung against the roll by the strip when the strip is drawn outwardly.

8. A holder for a roll of paper including, means for supporting the roll for rotation about a xed axis and to have the paper strip unreel from its inner side, a member between the roll and the paper strip extending therefrom, and means shiftably supporting the member to normally remain clear of the roll and to be engaged by the strip whereby an outward pull on said strip causes the strip to swing the member against the roll to hold the same against rotation.

9. A holder for a roll of sheet material comprising, a body, means on the body for rotatably supporting the roll to have the strip of material unreel from its back side, and means for holding the roll against rotation to facilitate the parting of said strip from the roll, said means including a part directly engaged by the portion of the said strip leaving the roll, and means swingably supporting said part to be swung forwardly against the roll to hold the roll against rotation^when the strip is pulled forwardly and to swing out of contact with the roll' when said forward pull on the strip is relaxed.

10. A holder for a roll of sheet material comprising, a body, means on the body for rotatably supporting the roll to have the strip of material unreel from its inner side, and means cooperating with said strip to permit free downward movement of the strip and operable to prevent outward movement of the strip, the last mentioned means including a part supported on the body to normally be free of the roll and engaged by said strip and movable outwardly thereby to have direct braking engagement with the inner side of the roll.

HERBERT HARVEY. 

